Marco, Polo

Hi from Marco Island, Florida!

We are here for a few days for the annual Great Harvest Convention! The trip is a chance to attend sessions on how to make our store the best it can be as well as a chance to network and meet all the other owners. I always tell people that although GH is technically a franchise, it’s much more of a co-op of local owners bursting with creativity.

Our travels went well, although it’s been one of those days that feels wasted on flights. Two things I miss from past lives: direct flights and free luggage. Hauling two rolling bags onto two flights is quite the process!

But I did get a nice double serving of Biscoff on my first flight! I smiled at the attendant and told him I loved them and an extra pack fell onto my tray

MY OTHER RECIPES

PSA: Charlottesville’s airport doesn’t allow yogurt to go through security! Even though I’ve brought it on many a’flight, Karen got the whole “over 3 ounces and a liquid" speech today. Guess it just depends. (And overnight oats are probably easier to get on since the ounces aren’t on the package) She ate one and had to throw away the other two before we got inside.

But let me tell you – the Cville security crew is the NICEST I have ever experienced. So personable! The woman wanted to know where we got our sandwich bread. Heh – Great Harvest is a’comin’!

Matt and I packed sandwiches and apples to eat on our flight

Cheese, jam and chia seeds on homemade Dakota bread

And FINALLY – a crunchy apple!

I had my sandwich around 1:30 and my apple at 2:30.

We also packed a snack bag for the trip

Spoons, napkins, decaf instant coffee, Amazing greens (for emergency hangover treatment!), raisins, bars, various nut butter packets and Meg’s granola! The breakfast at our hotel is fit for a king – $15 for pancakes!? So we’re planning to do breakfast in our room tomorrow morning. I called ahead and we have a mini fridge! During the conference on Mon+Tues we’ll have breakfast included.

Tonight Karen, Matt and I are sharing a room (since we arrived a day early) but tomorrow Matt and I move to our own room (!!)

Once we landed and acquired our rental car (quite a pain in the butt, Dollar!) we made our way to the island, which took about an hour. In the mean time, Karen and I became famished and split a banana while I was driving us there and after we had stopped at a Publix for yogurts, milk and fruit for breakfast.

We arrived, checked in, parked, unpacked (=all easier said than done!) and then made our way to the hotel bar for a drink!

Manhattan for me, Martini for Karen!

Of course the cherry was the best part

After our drinks, we had a late (8:30) reservation at the nicer restaurant here at the resort.

We started out with a bottle of the Seven Deadly Zins – a favorite wine of Matt and me! I had two glasses – too much! – over the course of dinner.

To start, really fun sourdough with buttah – we were all so hungry and it tasted so good!

After much scrutinization, I ordered the local red snapper in a Thai BBQ sauce. It did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it – breading, noodles, spice and all!

I love the idea of a snack bag! And I can’t believe they stopped someone for yogurt…that doesn’t make any sense to me!! Have a great time in FL and enjoy the warm weather for the rest of us who aren’t so lucky. 🙂

Karen is absolutely beautiful! If she would like any recommendations for head scarves or wigs from my Madre (who has had breast cancer), just let me know! She found some VERY cute ones, and I’m sure would be happy to pass the love along:)

Slash I would dieeee to go to Florida right now! I am tired of the snow:(

I absolutely detest the 100 ml liquid rule! It cost me many youghurts because you never know which officer would let it slide and which wouldn’t. At least, you didn’t have to declare your apples as “imported fruit”. I had to on my last flight from Canada to the US.

Karen looks so beautiful with her head scarf-she looks vibrant and pretty!
I am inspired by her energy(what a year-moving,surgery and involved with a new
business starting up-goodness!)
How does she manage it all while smiling over a martini and looking so
good? I am sure it is tougher than it looks ,but boy Karen looks fabulous-
hope she is feeling well too.

Have a great trip,and take time to treasure a trip away with family ,whether
for business or pleasure 😉

Do they sell Biscoff at your grocery store? They do at mine. If you want, I can send you some. Or do you just like to eat it on airplanes? I’m that way with chocolate covered pretzels for some reason. I just like to eat them on airplanes.

Are you disappointed like I am when you order a fancy drink and it’s served in a plastic cup? I think you should get a swanky glass for a swanky drink. 😉 Karen looks so cute in her striped shirt and matching head wrap. How brave she is! I hope you have a fantastic time at the conference. I stopped by GH on Kings Dr. yesterday and thought of you. 🙂

I feel your pain on the free luggage! I was flying AirTran a few weeks ago and when I got to the gate I saw a little coffee cart and a sign that said, “Free Coffee – See? We’re always trying to find ways to save you money.” I guess I would rather pay $3 for a cup of coffee than $20 to check my bag …

Someone just recommended that wine to me. Apparently it’s banned from the shelves of the LCBO (our gov. run liquor stores in Ontario) because the labelling is “innapropriate” !?!? You can get it but it has to be special ordered!

Ahhh looks like an amazing work vacation! I didn’t realize Karen had already started treatments, tell her to hang in there and stay strong…chemo is no joke and she should be proud that she is kicking it’s booty! Please give her many many (((hugs))) from one survivor to another. 😉

Looks like a fabulous resort…I’m sure you are going to have an amazing time!

I must say I am in awe of Karen’s strength and energy. What an amazing lady she is! 🙂 I am a cancer survivor and I was so fortunate to avoid chemotherapy but I’m quite certain that I didn’t have her drive to push through so early on after my surgery. She’s an inspiration. Go Karen!